Brake



oct. 1, 1.929.

J. F; O CONNOR BRAKE Fliled Sept. 15 1924 Patented Oct.' 1, 1929 l iJNlTED STATES( PATENT OFFICE JOHN F. OCONNOR, OF ClilCAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO W. H. MINER, INC., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BRAKE Application filed september 15, 1924. serial Ne. 731650.

This invention relates to brakes. An object of the invention is to provide a hand brake for railway cars and other vey hicles, having means for quickly taking up the slack in the brake chain, and thereafter automatically increasing the leverage ratio pull on the brake chain during the iinal application of the brake. Y

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a hand brake of this character, including a plurality of transmitting means in the form of sets of gears for driving the brake drum to wind the chain thereon, such s'ets being arranged in positions to have different driving ratios relative to the brake drum, together with a cooperating clutch mechanism, including ashiftable device adapted for connection with one or the `other set of gears, the shifting of such device into engagement with the gears, and provide a positive driving engagement at the end of the shifting movement.

Other and further objects of the invention will more fully and'clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in Section, and partly in elevation, of my invention as applied to a railway car. Figure 2 is a'sectional view of the invention on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the invention-on the line 3 3 of Figure 1. lFigure 4 is a bottom plan view o of a type of gear used in connection with the invention, showingA clutch teeth thereon. Figure 5 is a side, elevational detail view of the shiftable clutch device lemployed in connection with my invention. Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of such clutch deviceand Figure 7 is a detail plan view of the driving is a bracket l1, arranged to rotatably supu port one end of a brake sta 12, the lower portion of such brake staff extending through and being journaled in a housing 13, the eX- tremity 14 of such shaft being rotatably mounted in a stirrup 15, forming part of the support for the housing 13. The housing 13 is secured to the end sill and end wall of the car by means of suitable fastening members 16 extending through thetop wall of the housing andan angular flange 17 formed thereon, 70 and into the adjacent portions of the car 10.

The upper portion of the sta' 12 is provided with the usual hand wheel 117 for rotating such staff, and keyed to the sta'f adj acent the usual step supported by the bracket 11 is a ratchet Wheel 18 arranged to cooperate with a foot operated pawl 19, the ratchet mechanism serving to permit rotation of the staff 12 in a clockwise direction, and preventing retrograde movement of such staif until the pawl is released. u Loosely mounted upon the part of the staff 12 which passes' through the housing 13, is a relatively small gear 20, preferably having an intermediate flange 21 thereon, and a cy- 85 lindrical extension 22, the undersurface of such extension being provided with a plurality of connecting elements in the form of teeth 23, such teeth having their forward faces vertically disposed and their rearfacesA inclined. Rotatably disposed about the cylindrical portion 22 ofthe gear 20, is a relatively larger gear 24, such gearbeing provided with an annular rib 25 on its undersurface arranged to bearV upon the `bottom 9.5

' though being free to rotate relatively to said staff and cach other. The slnall gear 20 is arranged to mesh with a relatively larger gear 26 loosely mounted upon a countershaft 27 extending through the housing 13, -such gear being preferably formed integral with a relatively smaller gear 28 mounted upon such countershaft, the gear 28 meshing with the relatively larger gear 24 mounted upon the cylindrical portion 22 of the gear 20.

The larger gear 24' is preferably provided with a hollow drum or sleeve disposed about t-he staff 14, and spaced therefrom, such sleeve forming the brake winding drum 29, there being a fastening member 30 on such drum to which the brake chain may be secured. The drum 29 has an enlarged' portion 31 at its lower end, the under surface of such portion being arranged to rest upon the stirrup 15, and the upper part of such enlargement having a flange 32 thereon, which defines the lower end of the brake winding drum. The enlarged portion 31 provides a compartment 33 for the reception of a cupshaped member 34, the inner walls of the compartment 31 beingpolygonal in plan to accommodate the correspondingly shaped outer walls of a member 34, thereby preventing rotative movement of the member 34 with respect to the brake drum. The inner chamber of the memloei` 34 is annular, and in the bottom thereof, adjacent the side walls of such member, are disposed segmental connecting elements in the form of abutments 35, each of such abutments having a vertical rgar Wall 3.6, and a forward inclined portion 3 A Fixed to the lower end of the stan` 12 is an annular driving element comprising a hub 38, upon which is mounted a lplurality of radially disposed driving lugs 39, the di- 4ameter of the driving element, inclusive of the driving lugs, being such that it is disposed within the cup-shaped member 34, without engaging the abutments 35, though being closely contiguous thereto. p the lugs 39 is provided with a relatively long, inclined forward portion 40, and a shorter positive driving ,portion 41. Slidably disposed 'upon the stall' -12 within the casing formed by the drum 29, and the enlarged ortion 31, is a shiftable clutch device 42, he lower end of which is enlarged as shown at 43, and .recessed to lit about the hub 38 of the driving element.I `The enlarged portion 43 is formed to provide a plurality of spaced extensions or legs 44, which are segmental in cross-section, and adapted to be disposed between'the hub 38 of the driving element 39,

and the-annularwalls of the'member 34, the

lheight ofthe enlarged .portion being less Each of vertical Walls of the legs abut against'the '75 forward vertical walls of the abutments 35. It will be here noted that the terms forward and rear refer to the various parts of the mechanism, assuming their movement y in a clockwise direction. The opposite end portion' of the clutch device 42 is provided with inclined teeth 47, corresponding to and adapted for engagement with the teeth 23 on the gear 20 in one position of the parts.

In operation, assumingthe parts to be in the normal position shown by Figures 1 and 3 in' which they are held by gravity, upon an initial rotation of the staff 12 in a clockwise direction, rotation is imparted to the driving element upon which are mounted the driving lugs 39. This rot ry movement is 'communicated to the legs 4 of the clutchj device 42 by reason of engagement of the' inclined portions 40 of the driving lugs with the inclined portions 45 of the legs of the 95 clutch device and thence by means of the straight Afaces 4Q of the clutch device which engage the rear faces of the abutments 35. These abutments form part of member 34,

which transmits the rotary moyement to the 1m', .drum`29. Upon a predetermined resistance being encountered, that is, when the slack has been taken up and more power is required to wind the brake drum the forwardly inclined faces 40 of the ldriving lugs 39 105 ride beneath the legs 44 of the clutch member, overcoming the `frictional engagement between the forward portions of the legs and the rear portions of the abutments 35 While the brake chain and drum remain substantially inactive and stationary. The described action continues thereby raising the legs clear'ofl such abutments, and, due to the length of the inclined faces 40 the clutch device 42, israised a further distance Iuntil the portions 41 of the driving elements 39 are engaged. This movement serves to engage the teeth 47'4 of the clutch device and the teeth 23 formed on the gear 20. The cooper- 'ating engaging faces .of the driving ele- 120 large gear 26, small gear 28 and ylarge gear 125 24, of which the sleeve -29 forms a part, which results in a great increase in the winding torquetransmitted to the brake drum.

Retrograde movement of the staff 12 during the above describedoperation.is prevented leased, the tension on the brake chain causes.

counter-clockwise rotation of the drum,

which results in rapid counter-clockwise ro- Y tation of the staff 12. When release is about completed, the frictional engagement of clutch and squared portion ofe-` staff, is not suiiicient to longer hold the clutch 42 in upper position, and it automatically falls to initial position b gravity.

An important eature of the invent-ion rcsides in providing a clutch device which is automatically shifted by the driving member, such shifting movement continuing -a distance sufiicient to clear 'the connecting clutch elements of the. transmitting means from which it is disengaged, and the clutch device in its shifted position being arranged so as to have a positive driving engagement with the driving member. It should also be observed that the straight faces of the coo erating legs of the clutch device and the a utments serve to afford a frictional resistance to revent the premature shifting of the clutch evice.

speed and relatively small, leverage' ratio to low speed and relatively great leverage ratio with a positive driving and shifting mechanism.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider to be the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope ofl the claims appended hereto. I claim:f

1. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means coo erating with said tightening element an ratios; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmitting means' and independent means for shifting sai clutchdevice from one to thev other of said transmitting means.

2. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of' transmitting means coo rating with. said tightening element an having .dierent ratios; a clutchdevieearranged for connection -with either of said transmitting means; and inde 'dent means for automatically shifting said clutch device from one to the other of said transmittin means upon en'- countering a redetermin resistance. .o

3. In a bra e mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality -of transmitting means coo rat-ing with said tightening element an having different ratios; a clutch'deviee arranged r4 connec- .tion with either of said transmitting means:

and means for driving and shifting said,

clutch device.

The construction affords an aut0` matically shifting arrangement from highl having different- 4. In a brake mechanism, the combination I with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperaing with said tightening 'element and havingv different ratios; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmitting means; and means for driving said clutch device, said driving means being arranged to shift said clutch device upon encountering a predetermined resistance.

5. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means coo erating with said tightening element an having different ratios; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmitting means; means for automatically shifting said clutch device upon an increase in tension on said tightening element; and means for driving said clutch device.

G. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperatin with said tightening element; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of 'said transmitting means; means arranged to automatically shift said clutch from one transmitting means for connection with either ,of said transmitting means; and driving means arranged to I automatically shift said clutch device from one to the other of said transmit-ting means and providing a positive driving connection therewith in the shifted position of said clutch member.

8; In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element;'of a plurality of `transmitting means cooperatin with said tightening element; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmitting means; and means for shifting said clutch device from one to the other of said transmitting means, such shifting means serving to move said clutch device clear of the transmitting means from which it is disengedf 9. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperating with said tightening element; aclutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmitting means; means for shifting said clutch lll rality ,of transmitting means cooperating `with said tightening element and having ldiierent ratios; a clutch device arranged for connection with either of said transmiti ting means and adapted to be automatically `shifted upon an increase in tension on said tightening element; and means for driving said clutch device.

,11. In a brake mechanism, the combina- .tionzwith a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperatin v with said tightening element and having di ferentl ratios, each of said transmitting means being provided with connecting elements; a clutch device having means for engagement with the connecting elements of either of said transmitting means; means for driving said clutch device and shifting the same from engagement with one to the other of said transmitting. means, the vshitting v .movement of such device being sui'i'icient to moveit :free of the connecting elements of the transmitting means i from which the A clutch device is disengaged.

` with a tightening element; of a plurality of lthe..s`aine other of said transmittingmeans, the shift- .12. In abrake mechanism, the combination vtransmitting'means 'cooperating with said tightening element, each of said transmitting -ing movement of such device being s uicient 1 teclear the connecting elements ofthe transmitting means from which the clutch device is disengaged; and means aiordin a ositive driving connection between sai means and said clutch device in its shifted posit-ion. M

13.' In a brake mechanism, .the combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperating with said tightening element, each of saidtransmitting means having connectin elements associatedtherewith; a clutch device having means adapted to engage the connecting elements of one of said transmitting means; and driving means ofsaid connecting velements and arran to engage said clutch device for driving e saine.

14. In a brake mechanism, the. combination with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperating with said tightening element, each of said transmitting means having connecting elements associated therewith, a clutch device having means normally in engagement with the con' nectingl elements of one o said. transmitting means; and driving means tree of said connecting elements andparranged to enga said clutch device for drivin the same, sadedri ing means being provi ed with means. for

incasso shifting said clutch device into engagement with another oi said trtting means.

15. In a brake mechanism, the lcombina.- tion with a tightening element; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperating with said tightenin element and having diderent ratios, eac of said transmitting means having connecting with; a clutch device having means normally in engagement with the connectingelements o'one of said ytransmitting means; and driving means free of said connecting elements associatedfthere elements and arranged to ege means on Y.

said clutch device for driving the saine, said driving means being arranged to shittsaid clutch member into engagement with another o said transmittin means upon a predetermined resistance icing encountered, andh'aving .means providing a positive driving engagement with said clutch device in its shifted osition.-

16.v In a rake mechanism, the combination with a tightening eil-ement; of a plurality of transmitting means cooperating with said tightening element and having different ratios, one of said 'transmittin means being provided witha transmitting member having abutments thereon, and a portion of another of said transmitting meansbeing provided with connecting elements; a rotatable driving member cooperating with 'said transmitting member and having radially disf' posed driving lugs thereon, each of which is provided with an inclined portion, said drivinglu being free of said abutments; a

clutch device having a portion cooperating with said' transmitting member, and being provided with engaging extensions, the forward faces of which engage said abntments,

and the rear faces of whichare inclined and cooperate with the inclined faces of said driving lugs.

' 17. In a brake mechanism, the combination lwith a. tightening element; of ap1'urality of transmitting means coo ting with. said tightening element .an different v ratios; means for driving said transmitting means, including a device including means adapted for connection with one of said'transmittingjmeans; automatic means for moving said deviceinto engagement with. another of said Atransmittin means -upon a predetermined resistance encountered, said connecting means inclu frictional surfaces dis perpendicularly to the line of driving force. 1

.18. In a brake mechanism, the combination with a tightening element; of a driving inember; means for transmitting power from the 'ving member to the tightening elementto 'apply the brakes, including 'a power-multiplying gear train and ashiftable clutch member for'xoperatively connecting said tightening element either directly to the driving member or to said driving member through the power-multiplying gear train said clutch member normally connecting the tightenin element and driving member directly; an means actuated by said driving member and cooperating with said clutch member for 'A automatically shifting the clutch `meinber to break the direct connection between said driving member and tightening element and connect the tightening element to the driving member through said power-multiplying gear train when a predetermined resistance is encountered by said tightening element duringapplication of the brakes.

Inwitness that I claim the foregoing-I have hereunto subscribedmy name this 11th day of`September,1924.

' JOHN FQOCONNEOR. 

